Ryedale man left school at 14 to be keeper (From Gazette & Herald)

Ryedale man left school at 14 to be keeper

A NORTH YORKSHIRE man who left school at 14 to become a gamekeeper has died, aged 72.

Bert Goodwin, of Sinnington, started his career at Warter Estate, Pocklington, and spent a lifetime working in the countryside.

His daughter, Heidi Coultas, said she remembered helping him with her sister, Ginette, when they were young.

"We always went with him when we were little," she said.

"We had our own feeding bags for the pheasants and everything."

Mr Goodwin worked as head keeper at Skelton Castle before moving to work for Major Cholmley at Wintringham, and finishing as a keeper for Westfield Pheasantries at Cropton.

"He was very much a countryman, horse and animal lover," his daughter said.

"He enjoyed shooting, dog handling, hunting and fishing and had a wealth of experience in all country matters, much of which he passed on to his daughters and grandchildren."

Mrs Coultas said her father also served as a special constable for 22 years.

"He used to love going out with the traffic officers," she said.

"You are only supposed to serve 20 years, but he slipped through the net and kept on - he didn't mind because he really enjoyed it."

The funeral took place at St Mary's Church, Huggate, and a collection was split between the church and the Countryside Alliance.

Updated: 12:58 Saturday, January 25, 2003